32 years after it last won the title, Wellington Brass, under the baton of David Bremner has been crowned Champion Band of New Zealand.

Third time

It is just the third time Wellington has won the oldest National Championship title in the banding world, after a joint victory in 1969 and their sole overall title success in 1981, both under their former name of Onslow Brass.

They now take home the famous Championship Gold Trophy, as well as the Norman Goffin Memorial Cup for gaining the highest points in the set work and the Les Francis Memorial Trophy for the highest points gained on the sacred item.

The return of the Goffin Trophy is particularly poignant as it was under his baton that the band won it previous National titles.

Current MD David Bremner was also presented with the KGL Smith Memorial Trophy as the winning conductor.

Hard fought

Over two days of hard fought contesting, last year’s runner-up went one better on this occasion, being placed first on their sacred item, ‘Light of the World’ by Dean Goffin and set test, Kenneth Downie’s ‘The Promised Land’.

Although they were placed third on their own choice selection of ‘Revelation’, their overall consistency managed to capture the title amid joyous celebrations from supporters and players alike.

The band’s principal trombone Mark Davey claimed the ‘Best Soloist’ Elgar Clayton Memorial Trophy Award, whilst the band’s cornet section won ‘Best Section’ award.

Tenor horn player Leighton Roberts later said: “Everyone’s ecstatic. It’s a real weight off our chests, as it has been such a long time coming.”

With the band’s success already making headlines in the local Wellington press, the band is also now looking forward to making its debut appearance at the Scottish Open in Perth next year.

Consistency

Wellington’s was just able to hang on in the high quality own choice section of the contest as they fought off the strong challenge of former champion Dalewool Auckland Brass, who built in confidence throughout each of the three legged event under the direction of Nigel Weeks.

Top of own chice

They topped the own choice section of the contest by a clear three point margin with an outstanding performance of ‘Music of the Spheres’ to win the Mervyn Waters Memorial Trust Cup.

However, it was still not quite enough to make up the lost ground as they eventually fell tantalisingly short of their rivals by a single point.

Reigning champion third

Reigning champion Woolston Brass could not make it five National wins in a row as they ended third, with their sacred item of ‘Just As I Am’ (the same as Dalewool) and their own choice selection of ‘Audivi Media Nocte’.

Other Grades

In an exceptionally close B Grade contest, victory was eventually claimed by Hamilton City Brass, who took the Championship Challenge Shield after ending in a tie on points with Trust Porirua City Brass.

However, by gaining three more marks on the set work, ‘Brass Triumphant’ they claimed the title, with Eastern Bay of Plenty Brass just two points further back in third.

In another close run contest, the C Grade title was won Smiths Locksmiths Howick Brass, who claimed the Championship NZBBA Challenge Cup by a single point margin from Te Awamutu Brass, with Feilding Brass in third.

Matamata Brass took the D Grade honours by a clear three point margin from Masterton District Band with Hamilton Auxiliary Brass in third, whilst Nelson Youth Brass won the Youth category.

It is just the third time the band has won the title in the banding world, after a joint victory in 1969 under their old name of Onslow Brass and their sole overall title success in 19814BR

Results:

A Grade:
Adjudicator: Stephen Bulla
Sacred Item/Test Piece/Own Choice = Total

1. Wellington Brass: 94/146/144 = 384
2. Dalewool Auckland Brass: 91/144/148 = 383
3. Woolston Brass: 91/143/145 = 379
4. Leopard Coachlines Canterbury Brass: 92/141/142 = 375
5. Ascot Park Hotel Brass: 89/139/143 = 371
6. Brass Wanganui: 88/138/137 = 363*
7. St Kilda Brass: 86/136/141 = 363
8. Trusts Waitakere Brass: 83/140/139 = 362*
9. North Shore Brass: 85/137/140 = 362
10. Marlborough District Brass: 84/130/138 = 352

*In the event of a tie precedence taken by band the highest placing in the Test Piece

Best Soloist (Set Work): Mark Davey — trombone (Wellington Brass)
Best Section (Set Work): Cornets (Wellington Brass)
Best Principal Cornet (Own Choice): John Lewis (Dalewool Auckland Brass)

B Grade:
Adjudicator: Stephen Bulla
Sacred Item/Test Piece/Own Choice = Total

1. Hamilton City Brass: 89/140/137 = 366*
2. Trust Porirua City Brass: 87/137/142 = 366
3. Eastern Bay of Plenty Brass: 86/132/146 = 364
4. Hutt City Brass: 86/136/134 = 356
5. Port of Napier Brass: 83/135/137 = 355
6. The Devon Hotel New Plymouth Brass: 85/130/139 = 354
7. Papakura City Brass: 82/128/138 = 348
8. Auckland City Brass: 78/125/133 = 336

* In the event of a tie precedence taken by band the highest placing in the Test Piece

C Grade:
Adjudicator: Kevin Dell
Sacred Item/Test Piece/Own Choice = Total

1. Smiths Locksmiths Howick Brass: 82/121/124 = 327
2. Te Awamutu Brass: 84/119/123 = 326
3. Feilding Brass: 81/118/122 = 321*
4. Upper Hutt Cosmopolitan Brass: 83/116/122 = 321
5. Woolston Concert Brass: 79/120/121 = 320
6= Levin & Districts Brass: 80/117/120 = 317
6= Cambridge Brass Band: 80/117/120 = 317

D Grade:
Adjudicators: Kevin Dell & Randi Bulla
Sacred Item/Test Piece/Own Choice = Total

1. Matamata Brass: 80/121/116 = 317
2. Masterton District Band: 78/119/117 = 314
3. Hamilton Auxiliary Brass: 77/116/118 = 311
4. Nelson Academy Brass: 75/114/115 = 304

Youth Grade:
Sacred Item/Test Piece/Own Choice = Total

1. Nelson Youth Brass: 75/125/110 = 310